Accessible visits

Well-managed public access is vital to ensuring the Broads remains a spectacular place for escape, recreation and enjoyment

Organisations and businesses are working to help as many people as possible experience the special magic of the Broads, with wheelchair accessible boats available, visitor attractions with facilities to help people with visual or hearing impairments and boardwalks suitable for wheelchair users.

For more details please watch the Accessible Days Out video below and scroll down to read our (non-exhaustive!) list of accessible destinations.

You can also contact the Broads Information Centres at Hoveton, How Hill and Ranworth. All are wheelchair accessible (although access is limited at How Hill) and all have an induction loop.

Norfolk Trails have also produced a series of booklets on 'access tested walks' that you can download on their access tested trails page.

You can read more about accessible visits to the Broads in our Broadcaster visitor magazine. If you have a visual impairment and would like to receive a large print version of Broadcaster please contact us, or you'll find an online version and a large print version on our downloads page. You can also read our selection of visitor info, news and other articles from Broadcaster.

Accessible things to do

Below are some ideas for accessible things to do during your visit to the Broads.

Northern Broads

• Take a wheelchair accessible boat trip aboard Ra the Solar Boat at Hoveton
• Enjoy an accessible sailing or canoe trip with the Nancy Oldfield Trust at Neatishead
• Visit the floating wildlife visitor centre and go wildlife spotting at NWT Ranworth Broad, or visit the Broads Authority information centre at Ranworth Staithe to learn more about the local wildlife and history
• St Helen's Church at Ranworth, the church tea-room, visitor centre and sensory garden offer an accessible visit, ramps are available to enter the church
• Hire a wheelchair-accessible day boat from Broads Tours and explore the River Bure
• Browse the exhibits and take an accessible boat trip at the Museum of the Broads in Stalham
• Hire tandem bicycles at Broadland Cycle Hire in Horning
• St Benet's Abbey near Ludham is a very atmospheric site to visit, with some accessible areas
• Enjoy the views and Braille signs on the accessible boardwalk at Barton Broad, and visit the viewing platform; there's also an accessible boardwalk at Filby Broad
• Filby and Rollesby Broads have suitable access for angling, and Martham Pits is another good place
• Hire a mobility scooter to enjoy the gardens and take an accessible boat trip at Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden (South Walsham)
• Take a river cruise aboard the wheelchair-friendly 'Queen of the Broads' and 'Belle of the Broads' with Broads Tours, or the 'Southern Comfort' Mississippi River Boat in Horning
• Take a trip on the accessible miniature Bure Valley Railway or venture along the flat Bure Valley Railway Path

Southern Broads

• Get close to nature and visit the Suffolk Wildlife Trust Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre (Oulton Broad)
• The Roman monument at Burgh Castle includes some accessible areas and offers one of the best views in the Broads
• Take an accessible boat trip with Waveney Stardust (Beccles), Waveney River Tours (Oulton Broad) and go sailing with Waveney Sailability (Lowestoft)
• Enjoy a picnic and relax at easy access green spaces near the waterways at Beccles Quay, Oulton Broad (with Nicholas Everitt Park), Cow Tower and Pull's Ferry (Norwich)
• Venture out to Wheatfen Nature Reserve at Surlingham and explore the easy-access boardwalk linking the car park to the bird hide

Accessible places to eat and drink

In addition to food and drink available at the places above, below are some places to eat which are wheelchair accessible (we suggest you call in advance of your visit to check any specific requirements you might have):

• Indulge in some shopping and refuel in one of the quaint cafes at Wroxham Barns
• Browse the brewery shop and eat at Woodforde's Flagship pub/restaurant The Fur and Feather Inn
• Enjoy delicious food and picturesque views at the wheelchair-accessible Filby Bridge restaurant
• Eat and drink at the wheelchair-accessible Ferry Inn, Horning
• Dine at the wheelchair-accessible Waterside Restaurant (Rollesby) and enjoy views over Rollesby Broad from their flat wooden decking
• Explore the paths  around the broad at Whitlingham Country Park (advisable in summer/dry periods only); there's a tactile map and you can also visit the Flint Barn Cafe and enjoy its all-day menu

Accessible places to stay

Below are some ideas for accessible places to stay during your visit:

• Self-catering stays at Hall Farm Cottages in Horning caters for disabled visitors
• Wheatacre Hall Barns in Beccles have a number of easy-access cottages (contact first)
• The Nancy Oldfield Trust's Kenyon Bungalow at Neatishead offers accessible stays and boat trip opportunities
• Cotenham Barns (Panxworth) have accessible options, including the fully-accessible Cotenham Garden Cottage
• The Threshing Barn at Mill Farm Eco Barn, Winterton-on-Sea is accessible
• East Ruston Cottages has a number of accessible accommodation options, with accessibility information detailed on each listing page